9 Chefs Food Fight

These 9 chefs in Des Moines are getting into a food fight

Nine central Iowa chefs are ready to rumble. They're bringing their A-game to an evening of fun culinary combat. And they'll be fighting for first prize by creating tasty small-plate items for a crowd.

And as they battle one another, they'll be battling hunger.

Morsel Combat, a cooking competition featuring chefs from all over the Des Moines metro area, will take place on Sunday, July 16, at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny from 5 to 9 p.m. A panel of five celebrity judges and more than hungry 300 diners will converge to decide who will be Morsel Combat's Top Chef 2017. This is the event's sixth year.

There will be a judges' award and a people's choice award. Trophies will be presented for both awards, but the winner of the judges' award will be the recipient of the an all-expenses paid trip to participate at Cochon555's Heritage Fire event at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, Calif., or Grand Cochon in Chicago. Dishes will be judged based on the use of local, fresh ingredients; appearance and presentation; taste and creativity.